Heather Ritchie
Heather Ritchie is one of Britain's most experienced rugmakers and teachers of rug-making. When Heather moved into a house in North Yorkshire with cold flagstone floors, a neighbour showed her how to make a rug using hessian sacking and old lisle stockings. Heather was immediately inspired by the idea and, over the last 25 years has developed and refined rag rug making skills to the highest standard. She now travels widely running workshops and is internationally recognised for her skills: some of her most complex work has been described as 'painting with fabric'.

Shades of Heather In her workshop, 'Shades of Heather', Heather introduces an enthusiastic new generation of crafters to the hobby. Her annual rug-making 'retreat', which she runs in the North Yorkshire Dales, attracts rug makers from all over the world. She has featured in a number of TV documentaries and her rugs appear regularly in international craft publications and books. Her work, including commissions by the celebrated artist MacKenzie Thorpe, has been exhibited widely.